WILLIAM YANESH (BMI) | Composer & Lyricist

William Yanesh is a composer, lyricist, music director, pianist and orchestrator based in the Washington, D.C. theater community.

As a composer and lyricist, his musicals for young audiences Caps For Sale, Blueberries For Sal (nominated for the Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical at the Helen Hayes Awards) and Make Way For Ducklings have been produced by Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo, Maryland. These works have also all received productions all over the United States, with Caps for Sale concluding its national tour at the New Victory Theatre in New York City.

His composition "The Astronomer" for a cappella choir was premiered by The Capital Hearings and recorded on their album When the Night is New. It was later recorded by The Phoenix Chorale for their album "Sun, Moon, Stars, Rain". Both recordings are available on all streaming platforms, and "The Astronomer" can be purchased for performance at the composer’s website.

As a music director and conductor, he has led many productions in D.C. theaters for over a decade, serving as a long-time music director at Ford’s Theatre (where he received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Music Direction for Into the Woods), Signature Theatre, Arena Stage, and many others.

William studied music composition and collaborative piano at Carnegie Mellon University. williamyanesh.squarespace.com